Treyton Welch Turns Heads at Wyoming’s NFL Pro Day

LARAMIE -- Why wasn't Treyton Welch invited to the NFL Combine?

That's the feedback Jay Sawvel received Tuesday when it came to the performance of Treyton Welch.

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The senior tight end had an impressive showing in front of scouts and personnel from more than 26 franchises at the Cowboys' annual pro day in Laramie. While specific numbers weren't made available to the public, what we do know is the Buffalo, Minn., product did throw up 225 pounds on the bench press 25 times.

A little perspective?

Wyoming's 6-foot-8, 313-pound left tackle Frank Crum finished his day with 27 repetitions.

Sawvel said Welch helped himself in a big way.

"Treyton kind of had that most to gain by having a good day today -- and Treyton had a really good day," Wyoming's rookie head coach said, adding that linebacker Easton Gibbs was also in a similar position. "... For him to run well, jump well and bench what he did, I think he helped himself a lot."

Does Welch feel like he's been overlooked?

A smile creased his face. True to his nature, a humble response followed.

"I think God's got me where he wants me," the soft-spoken 6-foot-3, 241-pounder said. "There's a purpose and a reason for that. I think I've given it my all the five years I've been here and tried to put everything I can on film."

Coaches often raved about Welch's sure hands and ability to snag passes in traffic. His dedication to blocking helped lead a pair of Wyoming running backs -- Xazavian Valladay and Titus Swen -- to 1,000-yard seasons. A healthy Harrison Waylee would've likely surpassed that benchmark in 2023, too.

Welch caught a career-high 31 balls last fall. For the second consecutive year, he amassed 308 yards. He hauled in two touchdown passes as the Cowboys rolled to a nine-win season and a victory in the Arizona Bowl. He tacked on five more scores during the 2022 campaign.

How did Welch feel about the most important job interview of his young career?

Cue the modesty.

"It's definitely important, you know, to put one foot in front of the other and give your best, your all," he said when asked how it felt to show NFL scouts what he can do on the football field. "I don't ever want to be a guy that leaves anything on the field ... I think there is a big opportunity today to go out there and do that as a group of guys. And again, you know, we've talked about it all the time, especially the last season, the group of guys that we had and, being able to do it with those guys, was a huge blessing in itself. So it was extremely cool."

A two-time All-State selection out of Buffalo High School, Welch was recruited by North Dakota State and Ivy League member, Brown. He was a finalist for Minnesota Mr. Football and ranked the 10th-best prospect in the state, according to 247sports.com. Former Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl values multi-sport athletes. Welch fit the bill, also playing hockey in high school.

Welch valued the commitment he received from Bohl and Co.

He paid that back in spades.

"I signed a piece of paper that said I was going to be a Wyoming Cowboy," he said. "And with the whole portal situation going on nowadays and NIL and whatnot, it was important for me to be loyal to the University of Wyoming because I signed a piece of paper saying I was going to be here for five years.

"... For me, it's going to be definitely tough to separate myself from this place and the people, but I think the way it is here, I'll always have that relationship with the people here."

The NFL Draft will take place in Detroit April 25-27.